About This Print
In this scene from chapter 32, Umegae, Prince Genji, on the right, at the age of 39 has arranged for special blended incense for the Crown Prince to judge in an incense competition. Faced with a difficult decision the Crown Prince says "I fear my judgement may be a bit smoky."
Source: Genji gojūshijō 源氏五十四帖, published by Shin Kōbe Shinbunsha, 1974.
On the tenth of February, the plum-trees with red blossoms were at their best in the light rain. An incense competition took place with Hotaru-Hyōbukyō-no-Miya [the Crown Prince] presiding as judge. At the end, he gave his judgement which was as good as non-committal, and this aroused dissatisfaction and ill humour in mind of Prince Genji.
For an excellent introduction to The Tale of Genji see Penguin's "Short Summary of the Tale" at https://www.penguin.com/static/packages/us/taleofgenji/introduction3.php
About The Album
For information about the album please go to Hahakigi (chapter 2) from the album Illustrations for Genji monogatari in Fifty-Four Wood-Cut Prints on this site.
Print Details
| IHL Catalog | #2468 |
| Title or Description |  variously translated as The Spray of Plum-Blossom, A Branch of Plum, The Plum Tree Branch, Plum Branch |
| Series | Illustrations for Genji monogatari in Fifty-Four Wood-Cut Prints 木版画源氏五十四帖 Mokuhanga Genji gojūyonjō |
| Artist | Ebina Masao (1913-1980) |
| Signature | not signed |
| Seal | 正夫 Masao |
| Publication Date | 1953 or after (originally issued 1953; multiple editions are known) |
| Publisher | Yamada Shoin 山田書院 |
| Carver | carving supervised by Yoshio Kawamo [Kawatsura Yoshio 川面義雄 (1880-1963)] |
| Printer | |
| Impression | excellent |
| Colors | excellent |
| Condition | excellent |
| Genre | genji-e |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Format | ōban |
| H x W Paper | 8 7/8 x 12 7/16 in. (22.5 x 31.6 cm) |
| H x W Image | 8 7/16 x 12 1/16 in. (21.3 x 30.6 cm) |
| Collections This Print | Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery, Scripps College 2010.1.52; University of Kansas Libraries KU Bib ID: 4123242 (entire portfolio; images not shown); National Diet Library Call Number 913.36-E17g-K (entire portfolio dated 1958; images not shown) |
| Reference Literature | |
5/7/2021 created
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